Pre-Emptive Ways Of Saving Money On Home Repairs

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. You home is a major financial consideration once you move into it. Repairs and maintenance will be necessary over time and a major key is to be ready for them. The following contributed post is entitled, Pre-Emptive Ways Of Saving Money On Home Repairs.

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Trust no one who tells you that running a property is easy. Even if it’s just a small family home, caring for it, cleaning it, maintaining it and repairing it can take time, effort, and a fair amount of organizational skill. Add limited time to get to all that with a family and career and it can seem quite rough.

That said, our homes are more than worth the investment. You’ll come to love mowing your lawn or tending to your garden when you can, and there’s something deeply satisfying about doing a good DIY job. However, while it’s true that home repairs can be fun to take part in, not all of them will be under your control. Furthermore, sometimes, if an issue is left to stagnate for a while, it can get truly expensive.

In this post, then, we’ll discuss a few tips new homeowners can keep in mind when figuring out how to manage their place, including what repair issues you can pre-empt by frequent inspection or figuring out how to achieve a good approach now. Let’s get started:

Plan Ahead

It’s a great idea to plan ahead if you can. This might involve using firms like Dry Tek Environmental to make sure your cubbyholes and crawlspaces are perfectly weather protected, insulated and cared for despite the promise of flooding this Autumn. PLanning ahead might involve hiring a tree surgeon once a year to check your treeline and make sure that everything is in order and in place. Planning ahead gives you the chance to save thousands in aftercare and repairs, so don’t avoid it.

Attend To Issues Now

Attending to issues now is almost always the best rule of thumb to follow when it comes to identifying a home issue. Seeing cracks in the wall that imply the presence of subsidence is not necessarily one of the most fun realizations you’ve had that week, but ignoring it because of the apparent immediate cost will only lead the issue to grow, and potentially become untenable, overly expensive, or require evacuating your home for a period while the issue is resolved. Best you attend to issues now, if not for the health of your wallet, then the safety of your family and friends.

Check For Possible Leaks

It’s good to check for possible leaks from time to time. In fact, this can make a tremendous difference in preventing an issue from getting out of hand. Homes are built to standard, but it’s impossible for them to prevent every leak 100% of the time and especially if the property is somewhat old. This means that routine checking for leaks can be important, from seeing potential damp in your attic to inspecting behind the storage runoff in your garage from time to time. Clearing your gutters can serve as a great opportunity for this, too. As you can see, taking it step by step and leaving nothing to chance is essential. This way, you can prevent the long term and expensive damage that comes from a nasty, unwanted leak.

With this advice, we hope you can focus on the best and most pre-emptive methods of saving money on home repairs.

5 Ways To Create A Safer Family Home

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Home/Living Discussions. Of all the places in this world, your home is the one place where you should feel safe and secure. There are things you can do to assure this. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Ways To Create A Safer Family Home.

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The life of a parent isn’t an easy one and you will fully understand this if you have a family of your own. There will be challenges you encounter on a daily basis, and there will be times when you are beset with worries about your family’s health and safety.

Thankfully, there is much you can do to care for your family’s well-being. While we won’t advise on the challenges that can sometimes crop up in family life within this article, we can give advice on health and safety matters to help you care for your family.

#1: Check for any maintenance problems

If there are any maintenance problems in your home, your family members could be at risk. We are thinking of electrical faults that could start a fire, for example, and damp on your walls that could lead to health problems. These are things you should never overlook, so check for such issues, and then call out an electrician, damp control specialist, or any other kind of tradesperson to eliminate any potential health risks.

#2: Use natural cleaning products

The air quality in your home can be negatively affected if you’re prone to use chemical cleaning products, and this could lead to health problems in your family. They pose other dangers too, especially if you have younger children in your home who like to touch and taste things they shouldn’t. Thankfully, you don’t have to use such products at all. While you will need to clean your home, you can use natural cleaning products instead of their toxic alternatives. Follow the link for a few homemade examples.

#3: Improve your home’s security

Do you have a security system in place at your home? You should, as whether you live in a known crime zone or not, your home could still be targeted by a burglar or any other form of intruder. With security cameras and alarms in place, your home would become much safer, partly because they would deter anybody from trying to gain access. Be sure to check the quality of the locks on your doors and windows too and replace them if you think they are loose or faulty.

#4: Add other safety features to your home

A security system is just the start. You should also install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, as both of these devices could save the lives of your family. If you have very young children living with you, it is also important to install railings and safety gates to keep them away from any hazards. And for those cupboards that contain dangerous items, such as prescription medications or chemical products, you should install locks on the doors.

#5: Keep pests out

Burglars are bad enough but what about those other intruders that are a little more difficult to see? We are thinking of mice and other rodents, as well as any other types of pest species that could spread germs in your home. Use these pest control tips to keep any bugs and beasties away from your home, and call on the services of a professional if you need specialist help.

There is always more you can do, of course, but we hope these suggestions were useful to you. Admittedly, you might have followed these tips already, but a little reminder is always useful when it comes to the safety of our families.

Soothing Your Home Financing Fears

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. A key aspect of our persona financial pictures is homeownership. For many people that includes home financing of some sort. This can be major endeavour for some aspiring homeowners. The following contributed post is entitled, Soothing Your Home Financing Fears.

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Everyone has their own anxieties around home financing. Of course, unless you’ve decided to buy a plot of land and build your own home, you’re going to have to fork out for a prebuilt property that could cost you an arm and a leg. And for a lot of people, that’s a scary thing to face, even when they’re in a good place to afford a home of their own.

However, being able to finance the process of finding and buying your own home doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. It’s all about knowing how such a move works, and what you can do, specifically, to make sure the buyer agreement comes off. So, let’s go through some of the best ways to soothe your fears below.

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Learn to Ask Questions

You’re allowed to ask questions, at any stage of the home buying process, if you’re not sure about something. A lot of legal jargon goes into contracts and is thrown around by estate agents, and it’s all there to confuse you – be sure you speak up for yourself, as you’ll thank yourself for it later.

Make sure your questions are clear and to the point, to ensure you don’t get any waffle answers in return. Indeed, you can read through a good example list of questions to ask of any estate agent right here.

Get Pre-Approved, if Possible

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is one of the best ways to prove to a seller that you’re serious about buying their property from them, and it’s a great way to soothe your own fears over getting the right amount of funding for the potential home of your dreams.

Indeed, use a site like MortgageQuote.com for a free, initial mortgage quote, and get to know how a lender will investigate your circumstances. They’ll look into your credit history and your income history, and will use anything from previous occupations to tax returns to determine the amount of risk you carry. Be sure to shop around for pre-approval with multiple lenders as well, to better your chances of both being approved and getting a good rate.

Be Ready for Mishaps

Finally, make sure you’re ready for things to slow down and complicate the process of buying a home. Maybe the seller pulls out, maybe the mortgage lender changes their mind, or maybe you decide you want something different. Circumstances change, and so do plans.

Anything can happen when buying a home, and if you anticipate these potential mishaps ahead of time, you won’t be losing sleep over them when they do occur. You’ll be able to pick yourself up and move on to something better, with a bit more experience in your pocket, and even some optimism.

Everyone worries about buying their own home; it’s one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. However, if you know what you’re doing, and what to expect, you’ll be able to beat the doubts back.

Why more people should consider Government Guaranteed Home Loans

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Most people have to get a home loan to secure a primary residence. A potential tool is a government loan. The following guest post is entitled, Why more people should consider Government Guaranteed Home Loans.

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As the housing price increases every year, many people feel that purchasing a home is becoming increasingly challenging due to increasing demand and lower supply. Even in 2021, when the nation is at the tail end of the biggest pandemic in the last 100 years, the median home price has continued to increase.

Many millennials reaching the age where they want to become homeowners believe that buying a home is becoming more difficult every year. Even during a slowed down real estate market, when mortgage rates are low, there are several banks asking for higher credit scores to qualify for a home loan. Increasing the hurdles that new home buyers must navigate on their path toward homeownership.

Thankfully, Government guaranteed Home Loans are available, and they can make the possibility of becoming a homeowner a reality. These loans offer more lenient eligibility requirements and several other benefits, which are sure to make homeownership a real opportunity for new and returning home buyers.

These Government guaranteed home loans come in the form of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Home Loans, Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Home Loans, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Home Loans.

FHA Home Loans

These types of loans are beneficial for anyone who wants to become a homeowner. However, it is beneficial for first-time homebuyers looking for a more affordable alternative to conventional loans.

FHA home loans have some of the more lenient requirements out of any home loan available. These include a steady employment history (at least two years), closing costs that can be covered by either the seller, lender, and the borrower’s employer. In addition to these, FHA home loans require a low 3.5% down payment, much lower than the conventional loan requirement of 20%.

Having these lower eligibility requirements is not the only advantage that borrowers could have through an FHA loan. There are also several other benefits to FHA home loans, like lower monthly payments, lower closing costs, and borrowers’ ability to borrow more than the property is worth to finance the repairs and upgrades to a property.

VA Home Loans

VA home loans are the perfect loans for Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, and eligible spouses who want to become homeowners. To qualify for these loans, the applicant must meet its property, income, credit, and military requirements put forward by the VA.

To be eligible for these loans, the applicant must have served for at least 90 consecutive days during wartime and 180 days during peacetime. Members of the National Guard and reservists must have served at least six years. In addition to these service requirements, VA home loan requirements include property, income, and credit score requirements.

After eligibility is determined, the applicant will enjoy some of the best benefits available in any home loan. The benefits include a no down payment requirement, lower monthly costs, no-prepayment penalties, no mortgage insurance premiums, and lower interest rates. By taking advantage of these benefits, the applicant might become a homeowner in an increasingly more expensive housing market.

USDA Home Loans

Both FHA and VA offer excellent alternatives, for people in the lower middle class, to the often expensive conventional home loans. However, the dream of homeownership is not exclusive to people in the middle class, and that is where USDA home loans come in. Loans administered by the USDA are meant for lower-income families that would otherwise not be able to qualify for FHA or VA home loans.

Being eligible for these loans requires that applicants live in a rural development community and that their income is low to moderate. Moreover, the property that is used for the USDA home loan must be a modest single-family home with no extra features like in-ground pools. The home should also not be used for any business purpose whatsoever.

Conclusion

It is no secret that homeownership is a dream for most Americans who work hard to achieve that dream. However, for many who might not be informed about Government-backed home loans, homeownership might seem to be just a dream. Mostly due to the high cost of conventional loans and often unforgiving eligibility requirements. However, by understanding Government loans, borrowers can now qualify for a mortgage on a home and save more money than they would have with regular home loans.

Phil Georgiades is the CLS for FedHome Loan Centers, a brokerage specializing in first-time home buyer loans. He has been practicing real estate for over 22 years. To learn more about programs available to you or apply for an FHA loan. Call us at (877) 432-5626.

Time To Buy A Smart Home?

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Home/Living Discussions and Technology. If you’re in the market for a home, you may want to consider a smart home. These homes have advantages over traditional homes. The following contributed post is entitled, Time To Buy A Smart Home?

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The world of sustainability is racing forwards and when it comes to making a decision to buy property, it’s vital to ensure that you’re indeed finding a property that aligns with your morals and views. For example, you may wish to purchase a green zoned property. The way in which we adapt our homes and the places that we choose to live, may offer us less or more opportunities.

Why choose a smart home?

A smart home goes from future to present. Today, when almost every home has a computer and a smartphone and technology is evolving, it is a mistake to design a home that is not at least part of it is a smart home. Changing the infrastructure is so complex that in fact a house that was not designed with infrastructure for a smart home will need a major change total electrical overhaul to comply with new standards and to be able to implement all the new tricks. However at some point, it is likely that you will have to make the shift and change a few aspects of your home to keep up to modern standards. So even if you are not making a smart home now, it is advisable to prepare a suitable infrastructure.

Smart electricity is a system for command and control of electrical systems through dedicated controllers with a user-friendly interface. It may be run purely through solar power too, which is a modern concept that is still in its infancy in many ways. A smart home allows deep control over all home systems, washing machine, air conditioner, heater, electric gate, alarm and almost everything else. Even temperature sensors! Imagine that you can program your home so that the stereo system will turn on in the morning and the boiler will turn on and off at another time – you can even have the washing machine set on a timer! With the right design of the system you can achieve almost anything that the imagination can think of.

Higher efficiency

When the house is run smart the savings will be noticeable every two months in the monthly bills. This is beyond raising the standard of living and quality of life in the home. Smart homes will greatly increase the value of your home too which is what makes this worth the investment. The market is saturated with multi-application and user-friendly smart electrical equipment but when done properly, you can look at a major increase in value. Precisely because of this it is important to note that a smart home should be well designed and not rushed in any way. Do not be tempted to entrust such an important subject without a professional who understands this designing your home and electrical systems. Some homes today are being pre-built to these high standards but most people are adapting their homes themselves. If you’re considering buying a smart home, be sure that it is everything that you need and still be sure to do independent checks.

How To Enjoy Summertime At Home

Three focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. While the end of Covid-19 may be near, we still don’t know exactly when things will get back what we consider to be normal. As a result, many people will spend their summertime at home again this year. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Enjoy Summertime At Home.

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Summertime is a wonderful opportunity to kick back and relax a bit and be with your family. With COVID-19 still lurking around and nothing quite being back to normal yet, you may find yourself spending more time around your house. Know that it will be what you make of it.

Summertime can be fun even when you’re at home and aren’t planning to do a whole lot else or travel someplace. Learn what you can do to enjoy summertime in and around your house and ensure you and your family members make it a memorable and fun season.

Prepare Your Space

You can enjoy summertime at home when you take the time to prepare your space inside and out. For instance, set up a dedicated office if you’ll be working from home some days, spruce up the backyard, and clean and declutter your rooms and belongings. Now is also a wise time to make sure your air conditioner is working properly in case it’s too hot to be outside. Contact a trusted air conditioning repair company should your system and unit need to be serviced. Make your space comfortable and cozy so you want to spend time in and around your home.

Spend Time Outdoors

Spend as much time outdoors as you can to enjoy summertime at home with your family. There’s likely a lot to see and activities to do in your own backyard and community. You may want to consider planting a garden you can maintain and work in throughout the season. Have your patio ready to go with a lounge chair where you can go to drink your coffee or read a book. Also, consider taking family walks or hikes as another way to enjoy nature.

Cook & Grill Out

You can also work and focus on improving your cooking skills over the summer. Eating out can be unhealthy and expensive if you do it all the time. Summer is the perfect time to pull out your grill and cookout with your loved ones. There are many different types of meat and recipes to try on the grill so don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with a variety of meal ideas and foods. Get the family together and put some music on and play yard games while you wait for the food to be done.

Have A List of Activities Handy

It’ll also help if you’re prepared by having a list of activities handy that you can turn to and do over the summertime. For example, you can create an entertainment room for when the weather doesn’t cooperate, play sports in the backyard, and invest in a small swimming pool to use on warm days. Another idea is to put down a blanket and have a picnic in your backyard or at the local park. Start brainstorming ideas with your kids and spouse now so you have an idea of what will be fun and enjoyable and don’t feel pressured to come up with suggestions at the last minute.

Three Unexpected Ways to Create Space In Your Home

Two focuses of my blog are Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. When you own a home, something you will think about at some point is creating more space. That could involved some sort of renovation but it could also involve maximizing what you already have. The following contributed post is entitled, Three Unexpected Ways to Create Space In Your Home.

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There are lots of interior-design tricks you can use to create the feeling of space in your home. What many people need, however, is actual space. With that in mind, here are three unexpected ways to create space in your home.

Learn to food shop effectively

Effective food shopping basically means ensuring that every food item you buy is completely used. There are two parts to making this happen.

Firstly, you need to buy foods which you are actually going to eat. It’s fine if you want to try out new foods from time to time and it’s fine if you decide you don’t like them. You should, however, make a point of buying new foods in small quantities even if they’re on offer.

Secondly, you need to be practical about the quantities of food you buy. Buying in bulk isn’t necessarily more economical at all. Even if it is, it may not be economical enough to justify the space bulk purchases take up.

Make it a goal to use up any food you already have. Then make a commitment to buying mindfully. At the very least, this should mean your kitchen cabinets are comfortably full rather than crammed full. It may free up space in your kitchen you can use to store items that are currently in other parts of your home.

Create a home inventory

This is basically a twist on decluttering. Choose an area of your home and go through all the storage locations one at a time. As you do, ask yourself if you would be willing to pay to put the items in a storage container. If the answer is “no”, then move it on unless you have a compelling reason to keep it for now.

If you do keep an item, then take a note of what it is, where it is, and by) when it should be used. Then commit to “using it or losing it”. As a part of this, make sure you check your home inventory before you buy anything new.

This exercise may sound like a lot of hard work, and it can be. It can, however, also be a lot of fun. You may well discover items you never knew you had. It can also help to give you a clearer idea of what sort of insurance cover you need.

Downgrade your technology

Modern homes tend to be full of technology and it can end up taking over a space unless you actively keep it under control. One of the keys to controlling your technology is to be clear about whether or not its usefulness justifies its cost and space.

As a rule of thumb, multifunctional items like phones and tablets can almost always be justified. Single-use items, however, can only be justified if you really want or need the higher level of functionality they usually offer. Even then, you should think carefully.

For example, if you’re a coffee-lover then you might well get regular use out of a barista-standard coffee machine. You could, however, do the same job using a few affordable and compact tools. It would take a bit more effort but could save a lot of space.

The Changing Of The Guard: How To Pass Your Home Onto Someone Else

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A person’s personal residence is not just a place to live, but it can also be a wealth building tool. The passing on of a home if done correctly can thus be the key to transferring and keeping wealth in a family. The following contributed post is entitled, The Changing Of The Guard: How To Pass Your Home Onto Someone Else.

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Over time, many of us become very attached to our homes. We want to believe that our current arrangements and family setups will last forever. We don’t like the idea of time passing us by and there being nothing we can do about it.

Eventually, though, the time will come for you to move out and onwards with your life. And at that point, you’ll need to pass your home onto somebody else. It’s a kind of changing of the guard and a necessary part of life.

So what do you need to do practically to make it a reality?

Fix Up Your Roof

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The first step is to make sure that the structure of your property is intact. You don’t want to get to the survey stage of a transaction, only for it to fall through because you have a problem with your roof.

Fixing up the roof is easier than you might think. Usually, you don’t need to replace the entire thing. Just replacing a few tiles here and there will often do the trick.

While you’re sorting out the roof, also pay attention to other areas of your property that might show up on the surveyor’s report. Check the foundations to ensure that they’re still secure and not badly cracked. And be sure that your walls aren’t damp or allowing moisture into the insulation.

Change Your Locks

The next step is to change the locks – or at least get the process started. When new owners move into your property, they’ll want assurances that extra keys aren’t floating around. I start by searching for a locksmith near me. This way, I can get the ball rolling and use that as a way to sell your home and build trust with buyers.

Contact Utility Suppliers

Once you’ve done that, the next part of the process is telling utility suppliers that you’re moving out. Remember, they don’t automatically know if you’ve stopped using their services unless they receive notice from you. So, even if a new occupant is paying bills from the same address, you might still wind up paying via direct debit.

Have A Big Clearout

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People moving out of their long-time homes often like to have a big clear out before they move. Sometimes, it’s important to do this because it helps you focus on what matters. Plus, you can often save a lot of space in the removal truck.

Hire a big skip and place it outside the front of your property. And then go room by room, thinking about the items that you really need – and those you don’t.

Don’t be afraid to get rid of items that you haven’t used in a long time. They will only clutter your new property.

Give Notice

When moving, you’ll need to give notice to your landlord or whoever you pay the mortgage. Doing this helps to avoid any animosity and helps prevent any legal action against you.

Moving house can sometimes be a challenge emotionally. But a new start is also a lot of fun.

What to do if a Disaster Strikes at Your Home

A key focus of my blog is Home/Living Discussions. As a homeowner, you also want to think about what would happen should an emergency or disaster strike, in addition to decorating the house to your satisfaction. The following contributed post is entitled, What to do if a Disaster Strikes at Your Home.

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Your home is your greatest asset, so you likely do everything that you can to protect it. Unfortunately, there are times when no matter how hard we try, homes become damaged by circumstances outside our control, such as natural disasters.

While no one likes to think about the worst-case scenario of something disastrous happening to their home, it is a good idea to be prepared, so that if the worse does happen, you will be ready for it and know what to do.

Extreme weather is on the rise across the globe. Winters are becoming colder, and summers are getting hotter, and natural disasters such as floods are becoming increasingly common. Knowing what to do if any of these issues causes damage to your house can help you minimize the destruction and feel as prepared as possible.

Create an Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready and waiting for whenever you need it is vital. You never know when a disaster could strike, so being prepared and equipped with all the items that you could need will help to take a lot of the immediate stress out of the situation when it first happens.

Following government advice on what you should in an emergency kit, will help you to ensure that you have not missed anything important from your pack.

Protect Your Home

Protecting your home as best as you can is a useful habit. Before disaster strikes, making some changes to your property will help to minimize the extent of the damage that could occur. Making sure that your roof is well-maintained and watertight will ensure it fares better during a storm. Testing your smoke alarms will reassure you that they are in working order and will alert the family if a fire was to start. Simple steps such as these are easy to fit into everyday life and could make a significant difference if the worse was to happen.

Call for Assistance

If a disaster does strike at your home, the priority is to ensure that everyone is safe and escapes from harm. Calling the emergency services is vital if the damage is extensive or not under control.

Getting to a safe place is the most crucial thing to do, so figuring out in advance, where you would head if something did happen is essential.

Professional Help

If your home is hit by disaster, then it is essential to remember that you are not on your own. Firstly, it is vital to inform your insurance company about the incident to begin making an insurance claim, if appropriate.

One of the hardest things to deal with when your home is damaged is the loss of your possessions. However, you may be able to salvage your belongings with the help of a service such as PACKOUTZ that specializes in restoring items that have been damaged during a disaster. Having at least some of your possessions back with you where they belong, can be a great comfort at this difficult time.

There’s No Place Like Home: How To Adapt Your Home For Your Elderly Parents

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Home/Living Discussions. A decision many of us will face is caring for our elderly parents. In some instances that involves moving them in with us, requiring us to prepare spaces in our own homes for their twilight years. The following contributed post is entitled, There’s No Place Like Home: How To Adapt Your Home For Your Elderly Parents.

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Aging is a fact of life. Even then, it’s hard to watch as your parents struggle with things they used to do with ease. It’s as if they are no longer your superheroes. However, this is when you need to step in to make their lives more comfortable.

Some children do this by inviting their elderly parents into their homes permanently, yet, even if they remain in their property, you want them to visit and be a part of your life. As a result, it’s necessary to make adaptations to your home, regardless.

The question is, which ones should you focus on first?

Removing Fall Hazards

Hazards are double-edged swords. Not only do seniors struggle to see and or avoid them, but the impacts of a trip, no matter how small it seems, can be very damaging. And, if you have children, or lead a regular life, you are bound to have fall hazards throughout your home. Removing them is imperative, and you can do this with a simple audit. Go around your house and evaluate what’s safe and what’s unsafe, and find it a new place to live if it falls into the latter category. For example, decorative rugs or hardwood flooring might be slippy.

Installing Handles

You can’t go with them everywhere, which means you can’t always be around to lend a hand. Take the bathroom, for instance. Your parents require privacy, but your bathroom might not be conducive to the elderly. A surefire sign is an interior that lacks handles and rails. After all, the less-abled can’t lift their body weight without leverage. Installing hand grips is simple and cost-effective, yet it will make a significant difference to your parents when they visit or come to stay.

Putting Up Barriers

A mistake can be fatal. At the very least, it can be painful and result in a trip to the Emergency Room. You shouldn’t take any chances, and you don’t have to with barriers that are strong enough to shield your parents from further harm. A custom metal fabrication on the upstairs walkway is a fantastic place to start, as is the staircase, and any balconies or balustrades. And, if you have them, you might want to reinforce them just in case. With a custom metal design, you get peace of mind that everything is to a high standard.

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Keeping Numbers Handy

You’re not a professional caregiver. You’re a concerned child who does the best they can to assist your elderly parents. This is commendable, but it means you will need help when situations take a turn for the worst. Thankfully, expert care workers are on hand, all you need is their number. Taking down the contact details of emergency contacts should enable you to negate any problems. Of course, you know what to do if it is serious – call 911. Either write them down or store them in your phone or both in case of a situation where you don’t have either handy.

There’s no place like home, not when it’s designed for safety.